Chief inspector's emotional message in wake of M5 and A30 tragedies

A senior officer has revealed the toll today’s fatal crashes on the M5 and A30 have taken on police teams.

Chief inspector Adrian Leisk said road units saw their ‘resilience’ put to the test as they sought to stem chaos across the road network.

Ch Insp Lusk, head of roads policing across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, described how it had been a tough day following the deaths of two people on the M5 and A30 as torrential weather battered the region.

Two people were killed as four separate crashes made today one of the worst days on South West roads for several years.

19:36

Fire in tumble dryer

Crews from Greenbank and Camels Head were called out today following reports a tumble dryer was on fire at a property in the Plymouth area.

The fire was out by the time crews arrived. They ensured the scene was safe before heading on their way.

17:02

Why police close roads after serious collisions

Police have revealed why roads are closed for so long after a serious crash, in the wake of this morning’s fatal crashes on the M5 and A30.

Devon and Cornwall Police’s serious collision investigations unit have now provided useful information for drivers so they are fully aware and understand more about of all the work that needs to be carried out to ensure roads and the public are kept safe afterwards.

Long queues remain around Devon

M5 is now back open

The M5 southbound has now reopened between junction 28 (Cullompton) and junction 29 (Exeter) following a serious incident earlier today.

The section of motorway in Devon has been closed to traffic since a serious incident at 6.45am.

Police have now completed their on-scene investigations and all three lanes were reopened just before 4pm.

An earlier incident also closed the M5 southbound between junction 25 (Taunton) and junction 26 (Wellington), the carriageway reopening at 10am, and the A30 was also reopened in Devon at 2pm following an early-morning incident between the A35 and A303 at Otter Vale.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available from the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or (when not driving) from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk. Information is also available on Twitter at @HighwaysSWEST

All trains to Newquay still suspended after tree comes down on railway line

A30 UPDATE: All lanes reopen at Bodmin, but road remains closed near Honiton

13:23KEY EVENT

Wet and wild Wednesday: more wind and rain tomorrow, warn forecasters

Wednesday will be wet and wild say forecasters, with heavy rain and strong winds expected for much of the day.

This morning, police urged drivers to slow down and take extra care in adverse driving conditions, after two fatal collisions and a number of other crashes, saw long delays and road closures on the main routes into Devon and Cornwall.

Both the M5 and the A30 have been closed since early this morning, following two fatal collisions, with other crashes causing more delays on the A38 and on different parts of the M5 and the A30.

A yellow weather alert for wind and rain was in place until 10am today, and Devon and Cornwall’s head of roads policing said “too many drivers are travelling too fast for the terrible conditions” - and warned more lives would be lost if motorists didn’t slow down.

While the Met Office has not yet issued a weather warning for tomorrow, forecasters say we will see more wind and rain - which looks set to create another day of challenging driving conditions for motorists.

A30 UPDATE: Latest from Inrix - road is expected to remain closed across the afternoon

A30 - UPOTTERY - BOTH DIRECTIONS - DEVON

A30 in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to accident investigation work between A303 (Upottery) and A35 Monkton Road (Honiton).The road is expected to remain closed across the afternoon following an accident near the Devonshire Inn Farm. Diversion - Exit the A30 Eastbound. Take the A358 Southbound and then the A35 Westbound before rejoining the A30.

12:14Max Channon

M5 CRASH: latest update from Inrix - all trapped traffic has now been released

M5 - DEVON - SOUTHBOUND M5

Southbound closed, queueing traffic due to serious accident between J28 A373 / B3181 (Cullompton) and J29 A30 (Exeter / Honiton), congestion to J27 A38 / A361 North Devon Link Road (Tiverton).The road will remain closed for some time for investigation work. All trapped traffic has now been released.Diversion - Exit the M5 at J28 and follow the solid black square.

12:02Max Channon

M5 CRASH: Long delays on diversion routes

11:58Max Channon

New crash blocks one lane of A30 in Cornwall

11:57Max Channon

Traffic back to normal on M5 near Taunton - but motorway is still closed between Exeter and Cullompton

11:54Max Channon

Trains to Newquay cancelled because of fallen tree on railway lines

11:53Max Channon

A30 remains closed after BMW driver dies in crash

11:22KEY EVENT

Police confirm man died in A30 crash involving BMW and tanker lorry

A man who was driving a BMW died in the crash which has closed the A30 today, police have confimed.

In statement released at 11.15am, Devon and Cornwall police said: “Police are currently at the scene of a fatal collision on the A30.

“Police were notified at around 7am today [Tuesday 13 February] to reports of a head-on collision between a BMW and a HGV lorry on the A30 Upottery near Honiton.

“The driver of the BMW was declared deceased at the scene. The driver has yet to have been identified and therefore next of kin have yet to have been informed.”

Video shows scene on M5 after fatal collision where man's body was hit by multiple vehicles

Highways England confirm full closure of M5 at Taunton has been lifted

10:14Max Channon

Two lanes still closed on M5 near Taunton

10:13Max Channon

It looks like the M5 has reopened at Taunton - but delays remain

Traffic England’s live road maps show the M5 has reopened at Taunton - but delays remain

The motorway remains closed between Exeter and Cullumpton after a man died and his body was hit by multiple vehicles, and the A30 also remains closed following a fatal collision involving a BMW and a HGV lorry which left the scene.